The Irish Wolfhound, often referred to as a gentle giant, is generally introverted, very intelligent, and reserved in character. An easygoing animal with a sweet temperament, the Irish Wolfhound is quiet by nature, and thrives on companionship.

History

The Irish Wolfhound can be referenced back to 391 BC. They were documented by the Romans and were given as gifts to royalty. Their main function was to hunt wolves and Irish elk, but as the prey disappeared and the country suffered from famine, the breed became almost extinct.

In 1869, an Englishman took the few remaining Irish Wolfhounds and began breeding them with the Scottish Deerhound, Great Dane, Borzoi and Tibetan wolf dog to try and preserve this gentle giant.

It was in 1870, at a dog show, when this breed was reborn. They were officially recognized by the AKC in 1897.

Appearance

The Irish Wolfhound is a combination of muscular power and grace. Being the tallest of breeds, their appearance is always a head turner. A male stands at a minimum of 32 inches and weigh a minimum of 120 pounds, with females 30 inches tall and 105 pounds in weight. If a full-grown male Irish Wolfhound stands on his hind legs, he may be as much as 7 feet tall.

Their coats comes in a variety of colors, is rough in texture, and has longer wiry hair over the eyes and under the jaw. Colors include black, white, brindle, fawn, gray, and red. The neck is long and muscular with tight skin on the throat and the chest is deep and wide. Overall they should be in proportion, head to body.

Personality

The Irish Wolfhound was originally bred to be a fierce fighter, but no longer does he live up to his ancestry. Despite his huge size, he has a sweet, calm nature, is sensitive and patient and very easy going. He is very good with children, somehow sensing just how big he is.

You could classify him as a guardian rather than a watchdog, for although he is very alert and courageous, he is not suspicious or aggressive towards strangers.

Just his humongous size will intimate anyone with wrong thoughts on their mind. His lust for chasing prey is still there, if given the opportunity.

Care of Your Irish Wolfhound

Because of his massive size, he will need exercise in the form of a daily walk, or a large fenced yard, to keep him in shape.

This is where good training comes in handy. He needs to learn to walk next to you and not pull you down the street. The Irish Wolfhound is relatively easy to train, but it’s a good idea to start early, when he is a smaller size, to make your job more manageable.

Training must be consistent, with a firm but gentle hand. Being left alone for any length of time is not a strong trait of this breed; preferring to be your companion, he may become bored and a little destructive.

The Irish Wolfhound is clumsy as a puppy and will be slow to mature. He will not be fully grown until about 2 years of age. Sleeping quarters must be large enough for him to be able to spread out, and spread out he will.

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Dog Training Tips

If you have just started training your dog, you should see to it that you are giving commands that have one syllable only. For example, instead of using sit down, you should use sit, so that it will be easier for your dog to understand and remember.

Use one syllable commands at first

Calling your dog and then punishing him is not a good practice, since he has just followed your command. This can make him have second thoughts about approaching you whenever you call him. Thus, only reprimand your dog whenever he does something bad.

Never punish your dog after calling him

Dogs can get easily distracted. In other words, if you want his full attention on the trick or task that you want him to perform, then you should make sure that you are doing it in a place free from distractions. Keep in mind that your other pets can distract him, as well as other people in your household.

Train your dog in a place free from distractions

Playing with your dog is just as important as training your dog. Play with him whenever you can, so that he can feel that being with you is not just all about learning new things, but about having some fun as well.

Play with your dog

Walking your dog will make him happy. It also ensures that he gets enough exercise, which is important to his health. Walking on a regular basis will make your dog see it as a routine that he will look forward to each day.

Take your dog for a walk

Dogs love treats like dog biscuits. When training your pet, you should offer treats as a reward whenever your dog is trying hard to try to follow your command. Make sure that the kind of treats you have to offer are something that he really likes.

Offer Treats

Be positive at all times when it comes to training your dog. A positive attitude will mean a lot for your pet, since he can feel your vibes when you become frustrated or angry. Being positive means that you have to praise him whenever he does something good. Aside from that, you should also believe that your pet can do it, so as to encourage a more positive atmosphere.

Be Positive

Do not get a puppy or a dog for a pet unless you are fully committed to caring for it. Without commitment, you can never train your pet effectively. By being committed, as well as by loving your pet, you will have the necessary drive to do what needs to be done, in order to train him well.